davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-01
miscellaneous.
SAVED BY A FIDDLE.
OPIE L. REID.

Old Sam Grear and his son ALT lived in Il
large, rough log farm house situated in a
rugged district of Northern Arkansas. The
old man and his son were much alike in
form and temperament. Both were tall and
gaunt; both were firm of will.
One night when the two men had finished
tying up lot of fodder which had been pull
ed the day before, and while they sat with
their backs against II rail fence smoking, old
! Sam said:
AN, how would it strike yer ef wuz to
! git mariied?'
How would it strike yer # wuz ter git
married p the young man replied
IVY" said the old fell eff yer ken git
the right sort NV II oman it would suit me
fust rate"
well, that's my fix consarucu yerse'f
dad"
Glad to hear it, Alf How would the
young Widow Bcasley suitSer?"
Suit me so well that l low ter marry
her"
"Thc-yer say !" the old man exclaimed,
dropping his pipe and sprnging to his feet
"W'y NV cou'sr. Whut objections have
yer got agin her 7"
Objections" painted the old man, IVY
ding, All, low ter marry her myself"
mot ct the cou't knows herself, an she
'hiuh sue w, tuc youHB indn Tcplleu, Win Il
quotation from the Western classics
"Whut! r.
Heard whut l said erbout the cou't."
Look here, ALI, yer wouldn't treat yer ole
daddy that or way, would yer?'
Look here, dad, yer wouldn't treat yer
only son that er way, would yer?"
The old man remained silent for some time
and then, as he took up his pipe, said:
IT'S or mighty sorry come off when err
daddy an er son-the only son, an cz fur
that matter the only daddy-has ter pull err
gin each other. ALT, eff you'll draw off III
give yer the red steers"
"Kaint see it,"
"Pll give yer two Nv the white sow's pigs
an my new bretchcs."
dad, I'll have ter leave yer, fur the Bible
says keep outen the way Nv temptation"
Hold on, Alf Let's sorter come ter some
undersandin' erbout this here 'portant mat
ter. I'll give yer the fiddle that used ter Der.
long ter yer gran daddy an the new strings
that Lige Dismukes folch me frum town the
other day."
"I'll do it, dad"
That's the way ter talk, Ally. 1t does my
heart good ter see yer act with so much
sense Yer will be er statesman after while,
Ally. Come on now, an lets go ter the
house."
When they had entered the house, the old
man took the fiddle from an old red chest
which it was his custom to keep locked, and,
with sigh, handed the precious instrument
to the young man.
"Whar are the new strings, dad ?"
ALLY" said the old man, in q voice of
touching supplcaion, "let me keep the
strings"
The strings, dad"
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-01
VIM. Oldfield's
Pump Factory and Steam Saw Mill.
PUMPS OF IHE BEST 0UALITY.

T HAVE greatly increased my facilities for max
L ing Pumps, by building. large Steam Saw
all necessary machinery for turning out
PUMPS OF THE BEST QUALITY,
a full supply of which are always kept on hand.
The stocks being prepared months in advance are
thoroughly seasoned and impart no disagreeable
taste to the water. Being made and put up with
the greatest care they will outlast any iron Or
binary wood pump Pumps put up in any part
of the State and guaranteed for one year, or for
ten years afterwards at a charge of 81 per year.
Pumps repaired and Pumps made on the farm
when timber is furnished, at short notice.
Prices as low as Pumps of the best quality can
possibly be made for. Address
WIN. sLDFIELD.
now Fountain Green, Hartford Co., Nd.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-01
The strings, dad.'
"Here then take yer fiddle"

Take the strings, Alf"
The old man sat down and sorrOwfully
watched the young man as he proceeded to
tune the fiddle. Old Sam was, throughou,
the neighborhood, regarded as the finest
fiddler in the world, and, with great en-
thusasm, the neighbors told how, after hear.
ing a Snowman blow tune on "stretch.
ing" horn, old Sam went home and PLAYED
It on his fiddle, greatly improving it, for, his
admirers declared, he made the fiddle talk 1t
of like preacher giving out hymn. In
the line of tiddling, Af longed TO become his
fathers successor, and as he could not hope
to do this without his fathers ancient in
strument, he had consented 10 give up the
widow, who cross roads wit often declar-
ed, "wuz plumper than er pone NV con
bread"
Long after the old man had gone TO bed he
could hear the sharp cries of the old fiddle
complaining in excruciating defamation
against the cruelty of its change of master,
but old Sam, though he may have, at this
time, regretted the bargain, drew a mental
picture ofthe widows bright face and sank
to sleep.
The next day was Sunday. Young Aft
having slept but little, so much had his mind
dwelt upon the fiddle, started out early on a
stroll in the woods. Taking no heed of d.
rection, caring not whittier he went, he soon
found himself at the cross fence dividing his
fathers farm from the domain of Mis-. Beas-
ley. The widows house was not far away,
and as ALI stood, gazing at the geese and
ducks in the yard, the widow, dressed in q
bright frock, and with her rich hair waving
about her shoulders, came out and began
Smelling corn for the fowls. Alfwas about to
turn away, when Mrs. Beasley, espying the
hap ;.c l.;
In another moment he had climbed the fence
and was strding toward the house. Mra.
Bcasley met him at the gate
why, howdy, young Alf Come in"
"Howdy, Miz Beasley."
They shook hands and went into the
house. The widow, to show her hospitality,
brought him a drink of water, and, having
returned the gourd, seated herself near
him, gave her pretty white apron coquett-
ish tiounce aud said;
''Whut made yer conc, young Alfg"
"Case yer waved at me-"
wy, fur pity sake, man, wuz er wavin'
ter skcer or hawk away"
"Well, then, reckon better CO."
Eyer Amt er goin' ter do no SIGH NV err
thing, fur e. yerye dun come yer mout ez
well stay er while, that is eff yer want ter, but
then yer never did kere nuthin' fur me"
NoW, miL Dedsicyi All Iepleu, luHlUllng
at the buttons on his coat, ''yer know that
L
"That yer what, young Alf?"
ooh, that-wall, confOund it, that allus
have loved yer. do, an III berblamed ef
l ken help il. must 60"
"Oh, do stay er little while longer"
mo; fur ef l stay here ten minutes longer
my prospects, in life will be gone"
"Wait, ALI, an fur the Lawd's sake tell me
whut yer mean"
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
The Floating Population!

In the early days Of Chicago, before
it's enterprise had raised it out of the
Maud, and at time when it was not
an unusual thing to see board nailed
to stick driven into the mud at some
street crossing bearing the inscription
mo bottom here" John Brougham,
the genial Irish actor, had benefit at
;McVicar's Theatre. 1t was in the
spring of the year, and during week
when Chicago was enjoying wet
spell. The day and evening of his
benefit was an unusually rainy one,
still. his friends managed to make
their appearance, and eagerly awaited
his always welcome little speech before
the curtain, and all was still to listen
to his expected humor. The silence
was SO great that the pattering rain
drops on the road could be plainly
heard. With his genial smile lighting
up his face, he commenced, .sLadies
and gentlemen, 1 presume am address
ing the floating population of Chicago. -
The balance of his speech was lost
among the roars of laughter, for he
had sustained his character for wit and
humor-ED1ToR's DRAWER. in Har-
per's Magazine. <#
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
A Lesson In Botany.

"Say,. was in predicament the
other evening"" remarked a n,iddle-aged
professional man this morning; s'and all
because I wanted to turn school-teacher;
you see, was endeavoring to impress
upon my little girl the difference be-
tween the animal, vegetable, and mineral
kingdoms; well, was proceeding very
nicely, as L thought out I was
treading on a pit-fal. .To what king
dom does the orange belong? "To the
vegetable kingdom, was the prompt
answer. s.Now, to what kingdom does
our hired girl belong? ITO the veget-
able-kingdom. o, no! said I, that is
not right. Yes it is, pa; heard you
tell her she was a daisy, and they be-
long to the vegetable kingdom. The
very worst part of it was.'' said the
fond parent, s'that the little thing look
ed SO mischievous I knew her answer
was not nearly so innocent as it might
appear. y Elnaira Gazette. ~
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
Judge Gray's Query,

Agent Barrett of the American Com.
pany's Chicago Office tells a very funny
story about Gray of the Supreme bench
of Iowa. II don't know Judge Gray
myself says Mr.. Barrett, ..but hear
he isavery estimable gentleman, though
one 1n likely to get excited. and say harsh
things when matters in which he hap
pens to be greatly interested go wrong.
AS for the truth of the story, it was told
me by a well-known Methodist minister
OF Iowa, and SO I have every reason to
believe in it.. Some years ago Judge
Gray was called to Colorado by the
death there Of a relative. who had in
vain sought better health in the noun
tains. On the way back with the body
a transhipment was necessary at Coun-
Gil Bluffs. Judge Gray purchased
tickets for Iowa City, and attended to
the checking Of the coffin box in regular
form. ..57s. Fl IsIt. l.@#' . @..
Then he retired to his berth in the
sleeper for q nights rest. AT Al next
morning the porter reused him to dress
as Iowa City was but few miles away.
The Judge had not slept well, and the
early rising did not help to put him in
a good humor. He was feeling, any
thing but cheerful when he stepped
upon the platform Of Iowa City, and,
walking to the baggage office, found
that the body Of his relative was not
there. .ss /. .*i.5,1 l5 a 23s Il. l1sss ..9
.'.Ns body came this morning said
the agent. & .ss Il.
Judge Gray was furious. He was
too full for utterance, and, without
uttering one word, he walked to the
telegraph office, seized q pen, dashed
off g despatch to the baggage agent at
Council Bluffs, and thrust It through
the window at the astonished operator.
It was this:
Where in is my lnother-in-lawp
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
Logan's Faith. j

vi I'll 5sF1 aA-OxSehe = 0llnse
f' a clergyman writes as follows to the
Philadelphia Press:
During the memorable Blaine and
Logan campaign enjoyed a day in his
company at the house Of friend Of us
both zone Of the Senators from New
York. ! was much impressed by his
simplicity of nature and kindness of
heart. But what most Interested me
was his unsolicited ayowal Of his faith
in Christ, and his frank confession Of
his Methodistic opinions and profession.
Understanding that was minister of
the Gospel, he said:
Il have often thought that / would
like to be in the ministry
Ireplied: ITO have done that, Cen
eral, you must have surrendered many
ambitions ,.s,
THAT, !" was his noble reply, "that
would be nothing. The end will come
soon, and these things will then be seen
TO be worthless.''''
l was convinced Of his transparent
honesty. when he uttered these words.
and believe that be simply spoke as he
believed and felt Fl M
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
How to Live y Full Century.

st. James Gazette: Prof. Humphrey
Of Cambridge has prepared a series of
tables which contain some interesting
information about centenarians. Of
SO persons whom he mentions, at least
LIZ males and females actually
attained the age Of 100. Others attain
ed very nearly to the hundred years.
Only one Of the persons reached 1O8
years, while one died at the alleged age
of1O6. Of the 50 persons, IS were
women and Is men. Prof. Humphry
tells us that the comparative immunity
Of women from the exposures and risks
to which men are subjected, and the
greater temperament eating and drink
ing exhibited by women are the chief
points in determining their higher
chances of longevity. Out Of the Sc
women 26 had been married, and II
had borne large families. OF the IS
who had been wives 8 had married be-
fore they were 20, one at Is, and 2 at
II. /. #.s
55b Twelve of the fifty-two centenarians
were discovered to have been the eldest
children Of their parents. This fact,
adds DR.. Humphrey, does not agree
with popular notions that first children
inherit a febleness Of constitution, nor
with the opinion Of racing stables.
which is decidedly against the idea
that 'firstlings" are to be depended
on for good performances on the
course. The centenarians generally
regarded were Of spare build. Cont
and rheumatism were as y rule, absent.
II seems says Prot. Humphry, that
the frame which Is destined to great
age needs no such prop ylactics, and
engenders none OF the peccant hunors
for which tho finger joints Gas in gout>I
may find u vent.
OF the fifty--two aged people. twenty
four only had no teeth, the average
number Of teeth remaining being four
On FIVE. Long hours Of sleep were nota-
able a,nong these old people, the period
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
~ ~ a :
Chit--ChAt.

A small boy surprised his teacher at
one Of the grammar schools yesterday
by asking her how far a procession Of
the Presidents Of the United States
would reach if they were placed in a
row. On her expressing her ignorance
he calmly announced: .'From Wash
ington to Cleveland. = + q
Mister! are you the gintleman as is
the mater asked a steerager Of one
of the officers on New York pack
ct ship. No. says the man address
ed, "but am the gintleman as cooks
the mattel n
l hate to sec = thing done by halves;
If it be right, do it boldly; ifit be
wrong, leave itundone. Gilpin.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
About Time to Go.
Ell parlor, II p. M:

In hotel parlor, II p. M:
''Haye you any idea what time it is?''
he asked, after he had talked her to
sleep three or four times and walked her
up as often by laughing boisterously at
his own brilliant ebullitions of wit,
humor, and burlesque.
Really, I haven't she replied,
YEARLY. "a
ut certainly must be time l was 60
ing home, ;" he continued, as he made a
move in the right direction. A
80, Tn sure it is very much later
than that, she said, sweetly and in
.nocently, and then he went away with
a hideous suspicion in hismanly bosom.
- Washington CYittc. f.3sss 4.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18

~ u! u
ar. hlrpy' adding niental hanks
g yon, SIR
~ course ,l,s YOU can choose your own w
eh .lll ihere' the advantage OF hay 81
ing plenty g money and no family
ties. III. u.
a fanny ties! Whose :. fault was y
that ne mao NO - mlly ties 'S' unused the:
l lsall . Dacnelor making rapid passes
over owe MS long beard ' IS i hesWould mes
merl z the pain IN his breast. Might
not hoxanna nave been his wife years
ago put TOT the necessities OF this selfish
bro Drot a, &. A ".
lhongh I've lately heard it limited.
Joel, that YOU We're thinking IN h Of marry
- WE. f l plundered on, IN his
embarrassment .t'sr as 81 saying the very thing
q ne had resolved not to 9, say .... \ #}
. MI: klrby snapped his whip and
transnxed ms companion with glance '
so 1figld that poor MI l. Perrin shivered
as Il - ne were we're lmpaled on On lclcle.
our cousin IS Is hne girl, joel
all uncomm lll,y me girl. II CON
grat 'lla you, nc sta ~ wishing
u Wonld 60 70 get out ana walk. n
= on are too KIND, Perrin; too kink
Dy ha!l' sneered Mr. It.. Kirby, letting go
1h q, r ltSl'l q ms anger. "Yon''ve rob
oeo me OF one pride, sir, and you want
20 maze amends a,,t' 90 you, by choosing
nue. aaothc =: .. ..,s.. b. H.
u, Ivy ny, n! hirDy, what are you raving
aooutF When nave ! interviewed with
wv ~ 1oiice!hs, hatrm n OF other
"tse' cr1eo ca MI. Ferrln m a tone OF
injured innocence you're laboring
unuef some strange deluslon. :" -ssa.
20 y91 pretend 1T a delus'on 9 Of
mne tnat put Tor you koxanna would
W ~ WE! .*s. ! 4::s IT,.
| ~, mes WHITING me ON old scores. :
, museo Mr. ferrln' aggrleved '.He
DANES James me 1or letting sister give up her
prospects IN NE 1or Cllmena's sake.
oie'et wouiu 10 H. ana she never told
me there was anything between her and
Joei. When a man Is IN tight place,
yoel' ne app 10 reallze ms own needs
ue..el .l =, Inc needs OF ms brethren,
suppose ne SAID aloud after q mo-
menus pause. "Bnt I'm sorry If you
pear me q grudge.
"1lgn! place! 10 you call yourself
IN tight place, Perrin-a strong,
,e"ity lellow hke you! lou ought to
W inuepenuent OF your sis SISTER. You
0usnt 70 n1re q , housekeeper and let
no .sI ~ = go. ss5 -,
Lei hoAanna go! WhereP" inter
roga 1M' me oe1ogged Mr. Perrin: :
IVY hereyer sne prefers to live.
snouiu ies ner oeciae tnat AFTER we were
mafrlea, repi1ed MI. klrby impatient.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
The Delay Explained.

Employer (to clerk Y ouv'e been
gone 4 long time to lunch, James
What did you have, tishp u.
5# Clerk q sir; ham and beans.
Emp oyerl Does 1t take YOU three
quarters OF an hour to- eat = plate OF
ham and beansp I.}
INK 'lcrkk--- o, sir; but tho waiter was
IWhistlin Nv hite w ingss,, rs and 4 didn't
like 10 interrupt him. hVes, York Sun.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18

s His soliloquy merged IN low whistle
OF satisfaction. He had reaced the bars
opposite his own gate, and at the gate,
bis fore feet deep in a hollow paved by
their impatience, stood Mr.. Kirby's
gray sorrel. z
At tho spectacle Mr.. PERKINS, heart
bounded within him and he clutched
the topnlost rail for support. Should
he lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable or should he by SO doing appear
to take too much for grained? He de-
sired q to be hospitable he desired to be
exceedingly hospitable but he must
not convey the impression that he was
oyerzealOus for a brother-in- law and
thus annoy Roxanna Sister was so
fasHdi ous. 5s9 . 81 E sf 5F Sa.
In an sunprece dented excite,nent the
habituaily easy-going man debated
within himself regarding the course Of
sonduct BETTING this exceptional occa-
sion, and finally judged it best to inter-
fere with the probable Wooing in no
particular. Accordingl he crept around
to the porch door quietly, with sur
reptitious glance at the sitting room
window in passing. A brisk fire Of
chips revealed to him his rather prlm
blonde sister el seated ii q low rocker be-
fore the hearth, and Joel Kirby. leaning
against the mantel near her, yolubly
discoursing.
hey We opened the ball without me,
I guess. unused the sknlking host,
facetioHsly as he hitched his chair along
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18

II
T - Pooh! pooh! sister, nothing seems
less likely answered her brother in 3
voice SO sad that Miss Roxanna chided
herself for having opened his old wound
afresh. But she had done it for Joel's
sake. She owed it to Joel to make
sure that there could be no misunder-
standing. i.
The October days, with their noon
day patches of sunshine and their heavy
border of twilight, came and went.
In spasm of hope that the charming
widow might consent to share the do.
mestic sceptre with his sister, Mr.. Perrin
made asecond proposal, only toreceive
q second decided though fattering refus-
al. Mr. Kirby repeated his call. upon
Miss Roxanna, and departed cursing
fate and by no means loving Mr.. Perrin,
whom he supposed perfectly acquainted
with the relations between himself and
Roxanna. OVertaking Mr.. Perrin
walking home one day from the post
Office, Mr.. Kirby, with inward reluc-
tance, asked him to ride With equal
] reluctance, Mr.. Perrin accepted the In
yitation, rejecting # Iair't civil he'll
take it that ] ID mad because he doesn't
renew his offer to RoSanna, and I won't
hnmor him. ''',. Il. 81
Heavy frost last night, I growled Mr.
Kirby.
cry assented the other, eonsciols
of an inward chill. inter il upon
us. Shall you spend it in Maine ~
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18

As winter runs down from the swelling
hills, and. flows together In the iowly vale,
so grace flows not but into hunabIe hearts 81
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-03-18
above Ii > correct map Of the

Owns and operates nearly $500 miles Of thsN
oughly equipped road In Illinois, WisconsaA
Iowa, Missouri. Minnesota and Dakota.
i, tbs the Hest Direct Route between -
principal points In the Northwest, south
west and Far West. III a s. ssT55ss5sst
For maps, time tables, rates OF passage and
Of the CEscAeo, MINIATURES q 81. Paw RAHr
WAY, or to any Railroad Agent anywhere IN tn
World.
Re. MILLER, A.V.s II. .CARPENTER,
General Manager. Genl Pass. and Tiki. AT.
y TRUCKER, GEO. ii. HEAFFORD,
Asst Gensl Manager. Ass'tGeni Pass. & TIKI Axx
MlLwAULER WISCONSIN,.
~ For notices in reference 10 Special Exear-
sione, changes OF time, and other items OF inter-
est in connection with the CHFcAao, MILwAv.
1EE Is Sr. PAuL RAlLwAY, please reier 70 the los
uai columns Of this paper>
Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-12
"
OPIUM SMOKING AND EATING.

The Great Increase Of the Curse la the United States-Whole Families BeiD 2 Ruined.
 To persons unacquainted with the facts in the case, the figures that are recorded of the amount of opium and morphine smoked and used, and the number of opium habitues in the United States to-day, would look like pure fiction. Last year over ninety-two thou sand pounds of opium were used in this country, but thirty-six thousand of which was for purely medicinal purposes. A can vas of the drug stores and facts in the pos- session of opium experts reveal at the lowest estimate ffty-seven thousand opium takers,
 of which seventeen thousand six hundred are
 Again ninety-six thousand seven hundred
 hypodermic syringes for injecting morphine
 were manufactured and sold last year.
 When we consider that the large majority
 of opium eaters were made such by the care-
 lessness of physicians who prescribed this
 drug without proper precautions, 1t reveals the medical profession in no very enviable light.
 One pleasant feature of this gloomy sub ject is that remedy has at last been found that can take sufficiently powerful hold on the brain and nerves of opium takers to re- place the drug while they are recovering from it's effects. This is Buckland's Scotch Oats Essence, that by trial in hospital and marvellous influence over all forms of ner- vous diseases. It is cheap Gone dollar per bottle) and hence within the reach of all, and best of all it is not only almost a specific for nervous debility, exhaustion, paralysis, neu- ralgia and the like, but is the only known reliable remedy for the opium habit.-New York World,